The NFL is kickstarting a new women’s flag football initiative, with a little help from women’s sports icon all over, including Indiana Fever star Caitlin Clark. More and more people are playing flag football, and it has caught the attention of owners in the NFL. Currently, the NFL is exploring the possibility of creating professional flag football leagues for men and women, hoping to join in on the increasing popularity of flag football.
Caitlin Clark attended an NFL panel with the league’s owners this week, discussing the evolving landscape of sports, such as the rise of flag football and the impact that women athletes have on sports today. Caitlin Clark was joined by Serena Williams and former NFL quarterback Eli Manning.
Serena Williams’ Impact on Caitlin Clark
Williams and Clark have interacted plenty with each other lately. Clark has stated before that she sees Serena Williams as an “idol” and someone that she looks up to. In June of 2024, Clark was facing a lot of criticism and public scrutiny, as most athletes do. Williams offered her some advice.
Some of the main points that Williams made to Clark were to stay focused on her goals, even though she was facing negativity coming from fans. She also told Clark to avoid the negativity that is prevalent on social media.
Williams looked back on her own experiences as an athlete. “I was bullied, and that the things that I had to go through, people would be canceled for saying now,” Williams said.
Williams’ support of Clark is an example of the solidarity that female athletes have for each other.
The Impact of Female Athletes in Sports
Williams and her sister, Venus Williams, became part owners of the Miami Dolphins back in 2009, which made them the first Black women to become stakeholders in an NFL team. Clark has also alluded to possibly owning an NFL team in the future.
The NFL has recognized Clark’s influence in the world of sports, and they see her as someone who could help expand the reach of flag football, especially to female athletes. The NFL’s executive vice president, Jeff Miller, emphasized the importance of interacting with popular athletes to increase the popularity of flag football.
The future of flag football looks to be very bright. Flag football has increased in popularity over the years. It is expected for flag football to officially become a sport in the Summer Olympics in 2028. The NFL’s strategic moves to increase the visibility of flag football, along with the impact of athletes such as Clark and Williams, flag football could be a major sport in the coming years.